268 FLIGHT, 23 February 1950
CIVIL AVIATION NEWS...
average load factor, however, decreased from 73.2 to 06.4
per cent. Airfields under the control of the D.G.C.A. now
total 47.
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B.O.A.C. service frequencies between London, Glasgow and
Montreal are being increased this month to four return flights
weekly This service, on which Constellations are used, will
ultimately have a daily frequency.
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Swissair traffic statistics lor 1949 show considerable improve-ment over the figures for the previous year. Some 5,350,000
aircraft miles were flown and over 150,000 passengers carried,Freight and mail together amounted to over 2,300,000 kg.
Four Convairs were added to the Company's fleet during theyear.
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The Piper Aircraft Corporation announces two models of theCub and three versions of the Pacer, (a development of the
Clipper) in its range for 1950. Larger and roomier tandern-seating is a feature of the new Cubs, while the three versions
of the four-seat Pacer have increased fuel capacity, are-designed landing gear and a larger tailplane area. The
aircraft vary in price from $2,759 to $3,795.
The Argentine Ministry of Transport has purchased fivenew Convairs for use on the passenger services of Aerolineas
Argentinas. It is also announced that, with effect tiomMarch 1st, the flying-boat operations of the former Alfa
Company will be incorporated within the structure of Aero-posta. Contrary to recent rumours, however, the inauguration
of a weekly New York service is not contemplated for theimmediate future.
At Hemel Hempstead Magistrate's Court recently, a pilot,
described as a free-lance, was fined £50 and £zi 10s costs for
failing to satisfy himself that a Rapide aircraft of which he
was captain contained sufficient fuel for a flight. The journey
was from Bovingdon to Croydon, and the lack of fuel necessi-
tated a forced landing on some playing-fields near Sutton,
Surrey.
At a recent meeting of the Boards of the three component
companies of S.A.S., held in Oslo, it was decided that A.B.A.,
D.D.L. and 1D.N.L. will continue, to operate in conjunction
with one another, but that large-scale reorganization is to be
undertaken in order to increase efficiency and reduce costs.
One of the major changes recommended is that S.A.S. should
be operated as a single enterprise under the management of
one Board and one administrative manager.
FROM the CLUBS
Something to go on with: £30,000 for A.T.C. Flying Training
MARKING the first positive results in a long struggle bythe Association of British Aero Clubs for State recog-
nition of the potential value of private flying clubs to thenation came the Air Ministry announcement last week of a
£30,000 allocation for flying training of selected A.T.C. cadetsup to Private Pilots' Licence standard.
By its work in co-ordinating the efforts of individual clubsand in establishing a standardized training syllabus and further
standards of servicing and equipment for its members, theA.B-A.C. has effectively removed most of the grounds for the
criticism which was levelled at a similar pre-war plan—theCivil Air Guard. Indeed, the new system of flying scholarships
represents a considerable advance on the somewhat unsuc-cessful C.A.G. scheme; by permitting, as it does, increased
utilization of aircraft, it should prove of great value to theclub movement in general.
Further details of the selection and methods of allocationof the successful cadets to their training clubs will be an-
nounced later, but it is hoped that the sum of £30,000 willprovide for the training of at least 250 pupils. The Air League
of the British Empire last year inaugurated a somewhat similarbut somewhat more limited flying scholarship plan and, in
order to co-ordinate administration of the two schemes, dis-cussions are being held between the Air Ministry, the Air
League and the A.B.A.C.
Although £50,000 is by ijra-meansa targe sum, it-flpvertheless
indicates the .fact that concrete progress has been'tnade in
overcoming official indifference to the post-war plight of the
clubs. Had the R.A.F. not been desperately short of money
for its own priority needs, some such help might have been
forthcoming earlier. The Service, perhaps, has recognized tin;
position as being desperate and this contribution has been
made to ensure survival of the flying-club movement. It is a
small beginning, but one that may be indicative of better
things to come. Farther comment appears on p. 245.
DURING January the Cambridge Aero Club completed a totalof 164 hours' flying, a considerable portion of which
has been flown by three candidates for commercial licences.
One pilot who had almost completed his flying training took the
club's Autocrat to France, Spain and Italy, and, in weather
conditions which were far from ideal, gained some useful flying
experience. One Instructors' Certificate lias been issued and
two further Private Pilots' Licences obtained during the
month. Three first solo flights were also recorded.
BY agreement with the Aero Club of France and the F.A.I.,an international rally is to be organized on July 14th, 15th
and 16th by Les Ailes Cognacaises—the Cognac club. The
event will be open to all private aircraft and cash prizes
totalling over half a million francs, in addition to numerous
awards in kind, are offered. More detailed information is
expected in due course.
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FOLLOWING the suspension of the service wherebyreminders are sent by the M.C.A. to holders of Students'
and Private Pilots' Licences which have become due lor
renewal, the Royal Aero Club has now undertaken a similar
service. In future, every licence issued by the M.C.A. will
be accompanied by a postcard addressed to the Air Touring
Department of the Royal Aero Club which, on receipt of the
completed postcard, will notify the holder of impending expiry.
Holders of current licences who wish to make use of this
service are requested to write to the R.Ae.C. Air Touring
Department, Londonderry House, 19, Park Lane, London,
W.i, giving their name, address, licence number and the date
of expiry. Similarly, the R.Ae.C. will in future notify all
owners of private aircraft of C. of A. expiry.
THE Aero Club of India and the Bengal Flying Club arejointly organizing the first Indian National Air Races, to
be held at Barrackpore airfield this week-end. A three-day
programme has been planned, the rally being opened on Friday
(February 24th) by the Governor of West Bengal, and visited
on Sunday by the Hon. Mr. R. A. Kidwai, the Indian Govern-
ment Minister of Communications.
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OWES AERO CLUB reports a brisk demand for the low "out
of season " rates for flying instruction and hire which
were recently announced. These rates range from as little as
£1 per hour dual to £1 10s solo. Autocrats are available at
dual and solo rates of £2 10s and £t 15s respectively, or at a
daily hire chaige of £j 7s including a full tank of petrol. The
club regorts considerable activity during recent week-end^—
more, in fact, than has ever been previously recorded at this
period of the year. The Cowes Display for this season will lie
held on August 6th.
SOUTHEND MUNICIPAL FLYING SCHOOL reports that al-though, in December, bad weather kept flying hours to a rather
low figure (80), January showed a distinct improvement and a
total of 130 hours was recorded; it included two first solo
flights. The club recently had occasion to make good use of
the radio installation at the airport when, in spite of rapidly
deteriorating visibility, it was possible to continue instruction
on the Austers in the clear weather above the fog, the aircraft
being brought in by QDM let-down procedure. A private
owner, and the club's own Proctor, were also diverted by radio
to Southend and Manston respectively.
The Link trainer has been 1 tilized constantly in recent
months and several pilots about to take their Instrument
Rating tests have obtained some useful practice. Hours loggt-d
on the Link were 38 in December and 27 in January.